things fibre, alpacas and travel

Monthly Archives: August 2013

Since 1983 I have been photographing English Pub Signs, in situ in the UK. Works of Art in their own right, they have long fascinated me, brilliant descriptions often negating the need for a written pub sign, one look and the name of the Pub may be obvious.

Not just drinking bars; the pubs offer refuge from inclement weather, a meeting place for folk from neighbouring villages, an economical and nutritious meal, (cottage pie par excellence), in fact they almost provide a serious social role in village and rural UK life.

Enjoy my few images. If you want to see my entire collection, (almost 500), that will require a visit over a good bottle of wine.

The Bull and Butcher, Akeley, UK

Giant’s Rest, Wilmington, Sussex, UK

Golden Lion at Winchester, UK

The White Rabbit, Lyndhurst, New Forest, UK. Actually I’m not sure it was Lyndhurst, could it have been Minstead?

The Druids Arms in Penrith, Cumbria, UK

Rights of Man. Thomas Paine was a very interesting chap, born 1737, Paine argued that America should not simply revolt against taxation, but demand independence from Great Britain entirely

The Gardener’s Arms in Lewes, Sussex, UK

The Holly Bush in Lewes, Sussex, UK

The Robin Hood in Icklesham, Sussex, UK

The Hay Waggon in Hartfield, UK. ON the edge of Ashdown Forest of Winnie the Pooh fame.

What an opportunity, I was in the UK and able to attend Woolfest, two days of fibre overload showcasing crafts of all fibery persuasions. The train journey in itself was a lot of fun, scenery from Sussex to Cumbria via London, it really showed off some of the best UK has to offer. HOURS of looking, asking, learning and drooling! I stayed at Higham Hall and enjoyed the company of other Woolfest attendees, with the staff of Higham Hall ferrying us to and from the event. I recommend the accommodation to future woolfesters.

What a delicious start to my Woolfest immersion

Quilling next attracted me, what a great way to use old blankets and cloth.Natural dyeing, what an array of colours.

Fantastic crochet work

Wonderful felted boots

Weavings of wonder.

Artistic scarf work

Wooden handbags, very usable, durable art!

Needle-felting was very popular, and the array of artwork was amazing.

Weaving for outdoors – one of the most popular workshops

10 breeds of sheep were on display, I think these were the Teeswaters. The Teeswater is a breed of sheep from Teesdale, United Kingdom. It is a longwool breed of sheep, which produces a generally large-diameter fibre.